Review: Around The World In 80 Days at Darlington Hippodrome

Tilted Wig in collaboration with York Theatre Royal produced the show based on the novel by Jules Verne.

Although the hot air balloon has become associated with the story in film and television adaptations over the years, this method of travel was not used in the original book, and this stage adaptation remained loyal to that.

This version was adapted and directed by Juliet Forster, and the story of Around The World In 80 Days was told with a twist.

Alex Phelps as Phileas Fogg and Eddie Mann as the Knife Thrower in Around The World In 80 Days. Picture: Anthony Robling (Image: Anthony Robling)

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Fact met fiction as we learned the true story of American journalist Nellie Bly who emulated the character of Phileas in her record-breaking trip, in just 72 days.

Starring; Alex Phelps as the Ringmaster/Phileas Fogg, Genevieve Sabherwal as the Trick Rider/Auoda, Wilson Benedito as Passepartout/the Clown, Katriona Brown as the Acrobat/Nellie Bly, and Eddie Mann as the Knife Thrower/Detective Fix.

The set was made to look like a circus tent with red and yellow stripes and looked fantastic, with a sign indicating to which country the group travelled next.

Although there were times during the performance I found myself longing for something closer to the original story, it was still a largely enjoyable show with plenty of ‘breaking the fourth wall’ to keep the audience on its toes.

Alex Phelps as Phileas Fogg and Eddie Mann as the Knife Thrower in Around The World In 80 Days. Picture: Anthony Robling (Image: Anthony Robling)

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Packed with physical theatre, though creatively done, at times it felt the intricate movement sequences were there to detract from a plot that was a little weak.

If the show is not specifically aimed at children, the target audience in my opinion is the under 14s.

Wilson Benedito’s portrayal of Passpartout was funny, cheeky, and likeable. His French accent was very good but at times a fair bit of what he was saying could not be heard from my seat in the dress circle.

Alex Phelps’ had a lot of stage presence when playing Phileas Fogg and his characterisation was very good. I am unsure if movement director, Asha Jennings-Grant, intended for his gate to resemble Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks, but it did.

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Katriona Brown was impressive as Nellie Bly. Her use of voice was very good, and it was clear when she was playing the acrobat with her heavy Yorkshire accent, and when she switched to American Nellie Bly. Audiences members love it when they don’t have to spend ten minutes deciphering which character an actor is playing in a multi-role show.

Genevieve Sabherwal’s portrayal of Auoda was strong but there were times when I struggled to fully hear what she was saying.

Eddie Mann was hilarious as Detective Fix with excellent comic timing and good stage presence throughout.

The show was very popular with the school group that was in that night which led me to believe it would be very popular as a Theatre In Education tour.

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Much of the performance was played for laughs, the majority of which came from the school group.

The creative team included; adaptor and director Juliet Forster, lighting designer Alexandra Stafford, sound designer Edwin Cray, movement director Asha Jennings-Grant, fight director Jonathan Holby, voice coach Yvonne Morley and circus consultant Jen Parry.

Overall, the show was fun and entertaining but the plot at times felt a little tangled and confused.

The show runs at Darlington Hippodrome until Saturday, March 25, before the tour continues to Exeter, Buxton, and Ipswich.